Anthony Joshua came face-to-face with his next opponent Kubrat Pulev – and the Bulgarian admitted: “I know it's going to be terrifying.”

Britain's world heavyweight champion makes the fourth defence of his crown against 36-year-old Bulgarian Pulev – veteran of more than 300 amateur fights and only one defeat in the pro ranks – at Cardiff's Principality stadium on October 28.

And Pulev wasted little time in making himself the Crufts of all underdogs.

Thick-set and durable, he is ranked among the top three challengers by virtually every governing body in boxing's alphabet soup.

But even Joshua must have been surprised to meet his rival in the Welsh capital and discover not just a chink in his armour but a gaping hole.

Pulev said: “I know the match will be terrifying but physically I feel energised and mentally I am ready.”

Joshua was all smiles at the press conference (Image: Action Images via Reuters)

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Perhaps something was lost in translation – Pulev was speaking through an interpreter – but Joshua will fancy his chances of a shorter night's work than his epic 11th round stoppage of Wladimir Klitschko in April.

He said: “I've been looking forward to getting back in the ring – as soon as my last fight was over, I wanted to know what's next?

“It's about finesse and outclassing my opponents, but if I have to go to war, I'm prepared to go to the trenches.

“Sometimes you can watch a million videos but it's always different when you step in the ring, and I've got to be ready for the toughest challenge.”

On the line will be Joshua's IBF belt in a mandatory defence, plus the WBA version of the crown in his first fight since he sent Wladimir Klitschko into retirement in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley.

Joshua, 27, will be going for his 20th straight knockout win since turning pro five years ago – and at least one world record to boot.

With the Principality stadium roof closed, the expected 80,000 crowd will be the biggest indoor attendance for a fight in boxing history, beating the 63,315 who saw Muhammad Ali's rematch with Leon Spinks at the New Orleans Superdome 39 years ago.

It will be the second world heavyweight title fight at the national stadium in Cardiff – Lennox Lewis beat Frank Bruno in seven rounds here in 1993, but there was no retractable roof in those days.

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Around 25,000 fans, many of them shivering under waterproofs in the drizzle, clocked on for the nightshift by the Taff to suit prime-time TV in America.

In truth, 36-year-old Pulev may not even be the baddest man in town to concern Joshua on October 28.

Earlier on the same day, Cardiff City are due to play Millwall in the Championship, and neither set of fans is famous for being shrinking violets.

Top price ringside seats for Joshua-Pulev? That'll be £1,500 please. Not for the whole ringside block – that's £1,500 EACH. And don't worry – they will all be snapped up.

Tickets go on general sale tomorrow at noon. Do all rush at once, but don't worry about making the last train home on October 28. It leaves at 8.37pm, and Joshua won't even have had his saucepan fists taped backstage by then.

As well as avoiding destitution, give or take about £15 million, the Watford Wallop will also be fortified by the knowledge that his home-town football club, where cheerleader Troy Deeney is the captain, enjoy a 100 per cent record at the Principality.